If a room feels dim, the instinct is to buy more lamps. Sometimes that helps, but there is a faster lever: reflection.
Light bounces off surfaces. Pale walls, mirrors, and glossy finishes redistribute daylight into darker corners.
Start with the easiest win
Clean the windows. It sounds basic, but a thin film of dust can noticeably reduce light.
Next, move one reflective surface near a window: a mirror, a framed glass print, or even a white board. You are effectively doubling the useful direction of light.
Protect the window zone
Declutter the window area. Heavy objects near a window absorb light before it can spread.
The result is not just brighter—it often feels larger, calmer, and more open.